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From Research to the European Strategy for Port and Maritime Security

Port security is emerging as a critical pillar of European policy, particularly in an environment characterized by increasing complexity and evolving forms of threats. In this context, the European project SMAUG (Smart Maritime and Underwater Guardian – https://smaug-horizon.eu/) redefines the approach to the surveillance and protection of vessels and port infrastructure by integrating advanced technologies and analytical tools into a unified operational framework.
The University of Piraeus, through the Quantitative Analysis in Shipping Laboratory (QuALS), under the scientific leadership of Professor Maria Boile and with the contribution of a dynamic research team, has established a strong international presence in the design, management, and policy development support of maritime transport and ports. This expertise allows the project to be approached not merely as a technological innovation initiative, but as a strategic intervention in the operation and security architecture of modern ports.
The initial presentation of the project highlighted the potential of an integrated system based on the combined use of autonomous assets, artificial intelligence, and heterogeneous data sources. Today, that potential has moved decisively from research development to operational execution in the field, as confirmed by the recent implementation activities carried out in two Greek ports of strategic importance: the Port of Elefsina and the Port of Heraklion, with the active participation of the Hellenic Coast Guard.
Elefsina, as a major hub for logistics and energy flows, provided an ideal operational environment for scenarios related to the protection of critical infrastructure, the surveillance of port facilities, and the detection of potential threats affecting infrastructure and vessels in areas of heightened operational risk. Heraklion, with its intense passenger and commercial activity, offered a complex and dynamic setting for operations involving both the maritime and underwater domains. Activities in both ports demonstrated the system’s capacity to adapt to different port profiles, while strengthening interoperability and operational readiness among the authorities and stakeholders involved.
During these field implementations, a fully integrated operational system was deployed, combining a data management platform, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones) for continuous aerial surveillance, as well as autonomous surface vessels (USVs) and underwater robotic vehicles (ROVs) for monitoring and investigating the maritime and subsea environment. This equipment, enhanced by technologies such as sonar, hydrophones, and specialized sensors, enabled the creation of a comprehensive operational picture through continuous data flows and detailed environmental mapping, including in areas that remain inaccessible through conventional means. The use of artificial intelligence algorithms supported the real-time analysis of incoming data and enabled faster, better-informed decisions for threat assessment and response.
The implementation included operational scenarios involving the detection of suspicious objects in the maritime domain, the inspection of ship hulls and port infrastructure, and the management of incidents associated with illegal activities such as smuggling or the transport of hazardous materials. The coordinated use of multiple assets—from initial detection through to close verification—demonstrated not only the functional maturity of the system, but also its clear operational added value compared to conventional approaches. It also underscored the importance of embedding innovative technologies into the day-to-day security and functioning of modern port infrastructure.
SMAUG introduces a new logic in port security: the integration of autonomous aerial, surface, and underwater assets into a single operational ecosystem with continuous data collection and analysis, enabling earlier threat recognition and more effective decision support.
Yet the project’s real innovation goes beyond technology alone. It lies in the ability to integrate these tools into the institutional and operational framework of ports, thereby enhancing interoperability among competent authorities and strengthening overall preparedness and response capacity. This is especially important in the underwater domain, where conventional surveillance and inspection practices face inherent limitations.
From both a research and operational perspective, SMAUG is a characteristic example of how academic knowledge and applied research can actively contribute to shaping policy and operational practice at the European level. The collaboration among universities, port organisations, and public authorities confirms the importance of interdisciplinary and cross-border cooperation in addressing complex security challenges.
The transition towards “smart” and resilient ports is no longer a future aspiration; it is an immediate priority. Through projects such as SMAUG, it becomes clear that innovation can serve as a catalyst for strengthening the security, efficiency, and sustainability of European transport systems.
Professor Maria Boile has more than 25 years of international academic and research experience in transport, port policy, and logistics. She is Director of the Quantitative Analysis in Shipping Laboratory at the University of Piraeus, Coordinator of the European Waterborne Technology Platform, and a member of the International Cooperation Committee of the Transportation Research Board, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (USA). She has participated in more than 100 research projects focusing on the design and management of multimodal transport systems, as well as port and terminal management and policy.